Vertical louver blind apparatus



1967 R M. POE 33%,43

VERTICAL LOUVER BLIND APPARATUS Filed July 23, 1964 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 "fi /0 I l l 1 l I W-j l L L,/ i 39 flap/101, 05

5 fi flTTOF/VEXSU Jan. 24, 1967 R. M. POE

VERTICAL LOUVER BLIND APPARATUS 7 SheetsSheet 8 Filed July 23, 1964 MW m P N 5 w W i U M4 m K M v sm ww RN MW QQM, w RQWQM. QW i A & RN

\N W fi mvq QM Jan. 24, 1967 R. M. POE 3,299,943

VERTICAL LOUVER BLIND APPARATUS Filed July 23, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 F/g. [+9 5 43 I 42 38 5 7 23 j .b 22 lm 4 23a 2 7 ll 25 5/6? 5/4 21 f5 67 Z" l; M a 26 m 0% 5 LE9 /mwm flTTOFA EYS Jan. 24,, 11.96? R. M. POE 39251399943 VERTICAL LOUVER BLIND APPARATUS Filed July 25, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 m EFL) vw u d mm W C U H G j d ni l ia n J w I [Ff .til 4 :m 24, R POE VERTICAL LOUVER BLIND APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 23, 1964 4, R- M. POE 9 3 VERTICAL LOUVER BLIND APPARATUS Filed July 23, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 mwm Jan. 24, 1967 R. M. POE

VERTICAL LOUVER BLIND APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 23, 1964 United States Patent Ofiice 3,299,943 Patented Jan. 24, 1967 3,299,943 VERTICAL LOUVER BLIND APPARATUS Ralph M. Poe, 1047 Wealthy St. SE., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49504 Filed July 23, 1964, Ser. No. 384,611 19 Claims. (Cl. 160176) This invention relates to vertical louver window blind and more particularly relates to apparatus for operating the louvers.

Although vertical louver window 'blinds have been known in the past, it will be understood that the mechanisms employed to facilitate both rotational and traversing movement of the blinds have bee-n unduly complicated and therefore unduly expensive to manufacture and assemble. Another distinct disadvantage of previously known mechanisms for causing rotational and traversing movement of vertical blinds is that the known mechanisms, when manufactured by presently known manufacturing techniques, have been quite diflicult to operate particularly in installations in association with large window areas of the type employed in commercial buildings, it has been further found with the known mechanisms, that the several parts which go into a complete mechanism are unique for a particular mechanism and may not be interchanged whatsoever in various types of mechanisms. It will be understood that substantially all types of vertical louver window blinds are adapted to rotate the louvers on individual axes, but only some of the blinds permit traversing of the louvers across the window opening. Because in the past, none of these several different types of window blind units being manufactured and sold have been interchangeable, persons dealing in these blinds must carry a very large inventory of parts in order to have the mechanism available for customers.

Another distinct disadvantage of presently known vertical louver window blinds is that such blinds are so constructed as to permit traversing of the louvers across the window opening while the window blinds louvers are in substantially coplanar, flush and overlapped relation with respect to each other, as a result, when persons inexperienced in operating such vertical louver window blinds proceed to cause traversing with the louvers in this position, the louvers will oftentimes catch or react against each other in such a manner that the louvers, which are conventionally made of fabric, will be torn or otherwise mutilated.

With these comments in mind, it is to the elimination that these and other disadvantages to which the present invention is directed, along with the inclusion therein of other novel and desirable features.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved vertical louver window blind of simple and inexpensive construction a-nd operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vertical louver window blind wherein the louvers may be rotated and moved across the window opening through the operation of simple controls, the function of which is obvious from their appearance.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved vertical louver window blind which because of its construction is easy to operate in traversing and rotation al movement to minimize the loading on the driving mechanisms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and novel vertical louver window blind employing inexpensive parts which are interchangeable between such louver window blinds which are of the traversing and of the non-traversing type.

This application is a continuation in part of my earlier co pending application, S,N. 139,474, filed September 2O,

1961, now abandoned, and contains disclosure and claims, common in part to the earlier filed application.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention and illustrating the lou'vers in closed condition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the louvers rotated to admit light therebetween and partly traversed across the window opening.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail section view taken approximately at 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a detail and enlarged section view taken along a broken :line as indicated substantially at 4-4 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail section view taken approximately at 5-5 in FIG. 3 and illustrating in dotted lines a shifted position of certain of the parts.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail transverse section view taken approximately at 6-6 in FIG. 7 and along the broken line as indicated.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail section view taken approximately at 7-7 in FIG. 6 with portions of certain parts broken away and shown in section for clarity of detail.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing certain of the parts shifted after having been operated.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail section view taken on a vertical plane immediately inside the front wall of the channel substantially as indicated at 9-9 in FIG. 6 and illustrating a substantial number of the parts in elevation.

FIG. 10 is a section view taken approximately at 10-10 of FIG. 1 with substantial portions broken away and deleted so as to allow emphasis to be place on the traversing control mechanism.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged detail section view with a substantial number of parts omitted and broken away for clarity of detail and taken substantially at 1111 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail section taken approximately at 1212 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the louverrotating control mechanism.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged detail section taken approximately at 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention wherein the lower ends of the a non-traversing vertical louver window blind apparatus.

The vertical window blind apparatus is indicated in general by numeral 20 and includes a rigid frame member or channel-21 to be mounted horizontally across the upper portion of the Window opening as illustrated and denoted W in FIG. 3 and illustrated in dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. The channel 21 is symmetrical on opposite sides of its longitudinal center line and has depending front and rear sidewalls 22 and 23 both of which have longitudinally extending grooves 24 adjacent the closed upper side 25 of the channel, and both of which also have identical longitudinally extending grooves 26 adjacent the downwardly facing inturned flanges 27 and 28 which cooperatively define the open lower side of the channel generally facing the window opening. The inturned flanges 27 and 28 of the channel have inner edges 27a and 28a which confront each other in spaced relation so as to cooperatively define the carriage-receiving slot 29.

Each of the flanges 27 and 28 is longitudinally recessed throughout its entire length so as to define the shoulder surfaces 30 for guiding the carriages 31 as hereinafter more fully pointed out and to prevent rotation of such carriages when the carriages are away from their normal positions. I i 1 Grooves 24 and 26 are utilized in mounting the channel 21 to the building wall B as illustrated in FIG. 3, through the use of brackets 32, secured as by screws 33 to the wall and having slot apertures 34 in the outwardly projecting channel supporting arm 32a of the brackets. Each of the brackets carries spring clip 35 with opposite ends extending downwardly through the apertures 34 of the bracket, and end portions of the spring clip have detents 36 projecting into the grooves 24 of the channel and biased under substantial pressure of the spring to hold the channel against the bracket 32. One end portion 37 has an elongate depending finger tab to facilitate flexing of the spring clip for removal of the channel.

The upper closed side 25 of the channel has a plurality of regularly spaced bearing apertures 38 therein and spaced from each other a distance slightly less than the width of the individual louvers 39 which may be constructed of vinyl coated fabric. As hereinafter more fully pointed out, when the louvers 39 are to be rotated into the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1, the louvers are aligned with the apertures 38, and the excess in width in the louvers as compared to the center-to-center spacing of the bearing apertures 38, facilitates complete closing of the louvers with a desired overlap. The overlap assures complete obstruction of light and also limits the rotation of the louvers to a predetermined arc of approximately 180 degrees.

A plurality of gears 40 and 41 are constructed of rigid, molded plastic material with the characteristic of providing low friction in their engagement with other gears and parts, have identical hubs 42 mounted in the bearing apertures 38 of the channel. The hubs 42 have enlargements 43 on the ends thereof which retain the gears in the bearing apertures 38. The gear material is slightly resilient as to permit the enlargement 43 to be pressed through the apertures.

The gears 40 and 41 also have enlarged hub portions 44 bearing against the inner surface of the channel and maintaining the gear teeth 45 in spaced relation with the closed side of the channel. An elongate gear rack 46 extends throughout the entire length of channel 21, and has a depending side portion 47 with a plurality of gear teeth-receiving apertures 48 therein defining linear gear elements or teeth 49 therebetween to effect meshing with the gear teeth 45 of the gears 40 and 41.

The rack 46 has a broad horizontal base or mounting portion 50 with a plurality of elongate guide slots 51 therein and receiving the enlarged hub portions 44 of the gears 40 and 41 therein. The rack 46 is constructed of sheet metal and is maintained in spaced relation with the upper side 25 of the extruded aluminum channel 21 by means of a plastic washer 52 at each of the gears 40 and 41 and in surrounding relation with the enlarged hub 44. The plastic washer 52 is constructed of a tough slippery plastic material similar to that of the gears so as to minimize friction as the rack 46 slides along longitudinally of the channel as the gears 40 and 41 are revolved.

The gears 40 and 41 have depending parallel cars 54 and 53, respectively, formed thereon. The shape of these cars 53 and 54 constitutes the only nature of distinction'between the gears 40 and 41. The cars 53 and 54, on each of the gears, confront each other and have flat and parallel inwardly facing confronting surfaces 55 cooperatively defining linear guideways 56 receiving the upper guiding end portions 57 of the carriages 31 therein to effect rotation of the carriages when the gears are revolved and to permit sliding'movement of the carriages along the channel 21 when the ears are oriented longitudinally of the channel in the manner shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 8, and 9; Whereas the ears 53 of the gears 41 extend outwardly, transversely of the gear axis, in both directions, the ears 54 of gears 40 extend transversely outwardly in only one direction. The outwardly facing parallel surfaces 53a of cars 53 therefore extend a distance in opposite directions from the center of the gear; and the corresponding outwardly facing surfaces 54a of the ears 54 extend only in one direction from the central portion of the gear. The portions 54b of the outer surfaces of cars 54 are arcu-ately shaped about the center of the gear.

All of the carriages 31 are identical with each other and it will be noted that the upper end or guide portion 57 of each of the carriages is rectangularly shaped, as best seen in FIG. 5. The guide portion 57 has fiat surfaces at its sides for confronting and engaging the inner surfaces of the pair of cars 53 and pair of cars 54. Each of the carriages has a pair of transversely projecting flanges 58 which bear downwardly against the edge portions 27a and 28a of the channel flanges 27 and 28 for supporting the carriage and the corresponding louver on the channel. The carriages 31 are constructed of a material to that very similar to that of gears 40 and 41 so that the carriages are readily and easily slidable along the channel 21 and rotatable with the gears. Each of the carriages 31 also has a reduced circular neck portion 59 extending between the flange edges 27a and 28a. Carriages 31 have enlarged squared guides 60 immediately below the neck portion 59 and as seen in FIG. 4, each of said guides 60 has a substantially square external configuration with flat sides to confront and be guided along the shoulder surfaces 30 of channel flanges 27 and 28 whereby to prevent the carriage from revolving when the carriage is longitudinally moved away from its corresponding gear.

It will be noted that the linear shoulder surfaces 30 of the channel flanges 27 and 28 have arcuate recesses 30a formed therein opposite each of the gears and of suflicient size as to receive the corner portions 60a of the squared guides 60 of the carriages and thereby permit rotating of the carriages when aligned with their corresponding gears.

It will further be noted that the squared guides 60, together with the reduced neck 59 and flanges 58 cooperatively define a peripheral grooves 61 receiving the edges of the channel flanges. The carriages 31 also have enlargements 62 between the squared guides 60 and the heads 63. The enlargement 62 produce an oblong shape of the carriage as seen in FIG. 4, and the head 63 also has an oblong shape but is the largest portion of the carriage. It will be noted that the fore and aft sides 64 of the carriages as seen in FIG. 4, are substantially completely planar, so that the carriages will lie flush against I each other when the louvers are being drawn across the may be formed in several parts including a slide, a louver mount, movable longitudinally of the louver for applying tension, and a spring for producing the tension as illustrated in FIG. 15. A bifurcated post 65 having a split insert pin 66 formed integrally thereof with a split head 67 thereon is formed integrally with head 63. The pin 66 is projectable through an aperture in the hem 39a of the louver and through a rigid plastic strip 68 afiixed to the end of the louver. In this form the strip is disposed within said hem and has a pin receiving aperture 68a therein. Said strip is preferably constructed of polyvinyl chloride and said strip 68 is integral of the vinyl coated louver 39. It has been found convenient to afiix the plastic strip to the louver by heat sealing so that-the plastic of the louver and of the strip are welded integrally together. The pin 66 and head 67 will merely slip through the substantially rigid end portion of the louver 39 and may be withdrawn therefrom for removing the louver by merely pinching together the bifurcated post 65 together with the split pin and head thereon.

Means are provided for simultaneously rotating all of the gears through operation of one of the gears and the corresponding longitudinal sliding of the rack 46. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 12, a rotary control rod 70 is suspended from a socket 71 adjacent the endmost louver 39'. Opposite the louver 39', the channel flanges 27 and 28 are formed to define a circular opening or aperture 72 in which a control rotor 73 is rotatably mounted. The rotor 73 is formed integrally with a transversely extending arm 74 disposed below the channel which mounts a socket 71 in spaced or eccentric relation with the axis of the gear 41. The control rotor 73 has a bifurcated upper portion 75 receiving the ears 53 of the gear 41 therebetween so as to effect rotation of the gear when the rotor '73 is rotated through operation of the control rod 70 suspended from socket 71. The control rotor receives substantially the entire carriage 31 therein and the rotor. 73 provides a ledge 76 supporting the flanges 58 of the carriage. The ledge has recesses 77 conforming to the peripheral shape of reduced neck 59 so as to grip the carriage and prevent movement of the carriage along the channel with respect to the rotor 73. The rotor has threads 78 formed on the bifurcated upper portion, and a nut 79 threaded downwardly along said bifurcated upper portion engages the edge portion 27a and 28a of the channel flanges to thereby support the rotor 73, the control rod 70, carriage 31, and louver 39'. It will also be noted that the enlarged opening 72 in the channel flanges provides convenient access into the channel when assembling the blind apparatus on original construction or for servicing.

Because each of the carriages 31 together with the corresponding gear 40 and 41 rotate identically to control rotation of the corresponding louver, the assembled carriage and gear may be termed a louver operator.

The blind apparatus 20 is provided with a two stage gear and carriage operating mechanism, indicated in general by numeral 80, FIG. 7. In this illustrated embodiment, the apparatus is arranged to separate the louvers at approximately the center, midway between the sides of the window openings for drawing the louvers in opposite directions across the window openings; however it should be noted that the blind apparatus could as well be set up to draw all of the louvers in one direction across the window openings. The two stage gear and carriage operating mechanism 80 includes a pair of gear rotating and retaining, carriage moving slides 81 which are normally positioned substantially midway between the ends of the channel 21 and adjacent the gears 40. The slides 81 are supported upon and slidably guided along ledges 22a and 23a of the front and rear sidewalls of the channel, and the slides 81 are provided with longitudinally extending shoulder surfaces 81a which engage said ledges and slide therealong. The slides 81 are constructed of a molded rigid plastic material very similar to that of the gears 40 and 41 so as to be readily slidable along the channel with a minimum of frictional resistance.

The mechanism 80 also includes a single elongate flexible drive element or band 82 extending throughout the entire length of the channel 31 and having runs 82a and 8212 respectively extending along the front and rear walls of the channel. In FIG. 7 it is to be noted that the run 82a of the band is connected to the slide 81 adapted to move outwardly in a direction to the right, and the other run of band 82 is connected to the other slide 81 which is adapted to move outwardly to the left. Band 82 is constructed of soft annealed stainless steel with a vinyl coating and has a plurality of apertures 83 therein and each of the apertures is surrounded by an extruded collar or boss 83a which is disposed at the outer side of the band relative to the endless configuration thereof. The runs 82a and 82b of the band are connected to the slides 81 by being deformed and guided into a tortuous shape as 6 illustrated in FIG. 7. The band 82 is mounted upon and driven by a toothed wheel 84 rotatably mounted on a pin 84a which is retained in a mounting block 85 at one end of the channel 21. The teeth 84b of the wheel projected through the apertures 83 of the band which is trained around the wheel.

The other end of the band 82 is trained around and mounted upon a smooth surfaced wheel or sheave 86 which is journalled upon a mounting pin 86a which is carried in a block 86b within the channel 21. are provided for driving the toothed wheel 84 for moving the band 82, and in the form shown, the wheel 84 is provided with a plurality of pinion teeth 840 on its lower side which mesh with and are driven by the teeth of pinion 87 which is aflixed and keyed on the drive shaft 87a of a sprocket wheel 88 having a hub portion 88a journalled in a bearing aperture 85:: of the mounting block 85. Turning of the sprocket wheel 88 produces rotation of the pinion 87 which rotatably drives wheel 84 to move the band 82 and to also move the slides 81.

Rotation of wheel 88 is effected by manually manipulating an elongate flexible plastic coated stainless steel band 89 having recesses 89a formed in the edges thereof in staggered relation with each other so that along the band, the recesses are provided alternately at one side of the band and then at the other. The sprocket wheel 88 is provided with teeth 88b in spaced and staggered relation with each other to mesh with the recesses 89a: of the band. In the form of the blind construction illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible stainless steel band 89 hangs freely adjacent one end of the channel 21 as illustrated. The plastic coating on band 89 may be polyvinyl chloride.

Each of the slides 81 has a generally U-shaped configuration as viewed in FIGS. 7 and 8 and has a pair of elongate ear-operating and retaining elements 90a and 90b formed integrally with the carriage-confronting and pushing portion 91 which bridges between the ear-operating and retaining elements 90a and 9011. It will be noted that in their normal positions as illustrated in FIG. 7, the gears 40 are disposed substantially midway of the length of the slides. Because the spacing between the elements 90a and 9% at the ear engaging surfaces 92 thereof is only sutficient to accommodate the ears 53 or 54 of the gears when swung longitudinally of the channel, recesses 93 are provided in each of the elements 90a and 90b to accommodate rotation or swinging of the ears 54 of the gears 40, at least within the are through which the ears 54 normally turn. Camming surfaces 94 are provided at the rear side of recesses 93 for engaging the cam following surfaces 54a of cars 54 for effecting rotation of the gears 40 and corresponding rotation of all of the other gears 41 during the initial sliding movement of the slides 81 under influence of the traversing control band 89. When the camming surfaces 94 have effected the orientation of ears 54 longitudinally of the channel, the outer surfaces of 54a of ears 54 confront the surfaces 92 of the elements 90:: and 9017 so as to be retained against further rotation; and therefore all of the other gears and carriages are retained against rotation.

It is to be noted that the carriage pushing portion or bridging portion 91 of the carriage is spaced below the level of the ears of the several gears, but confronts the carriages 31. After the slides 81 have oriented the gears longitudinally of the channel, the portion 91 of each of the slides engages the carriage of the corresponding gear 40 and moves the carriage out of alignment with the gear and along the carriage substantially as illustrated in FIG. 8 wherein the first carriage picked up and moved by the slide is approaching the second carriage which will in turn be moved along the channel. The carriage moved out of alignment with the gear 40 by the slide is moved between the ears 53 of the next gear 41, and in a like manner all of the carriages are successively moved between the ears of the other gears along the channel.

The slides -81 and particularly the ear retaining sur- Means faces 92 thereof are sufliciently long as to bridge entirely across the space between the ears of adjacent gears so that at certain instances, the slides simultaneously engage the ears of two different gears, but at all times, each of the slides is retaining at least one of the gears against rotation by guiding along the ears thereof.

Means are provided for limiting maximum spacing between the several carriages 31 and the distance between the carriages aligned with the gears 40 and the respective slides 81. In the form shown, such means comprise elongate and pliable, but non-stretchable tapes 95 having a plurality of apertures 95a therein and regularly spaced therealong: The tapes 95 may be constructed of a fabric or a plastic coated fabric or may be constructed of steel band which may be approximately 0.003 inch thick having plastic coating of polyvinyl chloride. The tapes 95 underlie the flanges 27 and 28 of the channel and substantially close the elongate-d slot between said flanges. The apertures 95a in the tapes receive the carriages at the enlargements 62 thereof so that the heads 63 of the carriages support the tapes. It will be understood that in assembling the carriages with the tapes and with the channel, the carriages are individually inserted upwardly through the apertures 95a in the tape and are then inserted through the enlarged opening 72 of the channel prior to assembly of the control rotor 73 into the channel. The carriages are merely moved along the channel until they are aligned with the proper gears. The tapes are connected to the respective slides 81 by pins 81b, which are inserted in a press fit into downwardly projecting bosses 81c extending downwardly from and formed integrally with the rectangular block or neck portion 81d of the slide which projects between the flanges of the channel.

Operation of this form of the invention is extremely simple and is accomplished through manual manipulation of control rod 70 or control band 89 or both of them. The control rod 70 has a small transverse handle 70a aflixed thereon to facilitate ready and easy rotation of the rod. Rotation of rod 70 produces simultaneous rotation of all of the gears 40 and 41 through cooperative operation of the gear rack 46 so as to effect rotation of all of the carriages 31 and the corresponding louvers 39. Light is thereby admitted from the window opening or may be obstructed by the louvers.

When it is desired to draw the louvers across the window opening, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the flexible band 89 is simply operated so as to revolve sprocket 88, pinion 87, and wheel 84 to thereby move the flexible control element or band 82 which effects sliding movement of the slides 81. Initial movement of the slides 81 effects disengagement with the other of the slides and causes the detents 81 of each of the slides to disengage from the keeper element 81g of the other slides. Subsequent and continued sliding movement of the slides 81 causes one of the camming surfaces 94 to engage the ear of the corresponding gear 40. Continued movement of slide 81 effects a rotation of the corresponding gear 40 and all of the other gears 41, together with all of the carriages 31 and their corresponding louvers 39 until all of the louvers are oriented transversely of the channel and all of the ears of the gears are oriented longitudinally of the channel as illustrated in FIG. 8. As the slides 81 continue to move, the surfaces 92 retain the ears 54 longitudinally of the channel. Further sliding movement of the slides 81 causes the bridging portions 91 to engage the respective carriages 31 and move the carriages along the channel and away from the gears 40.

Continued movement of the slides effects a guiding by surfaces 92 of the ears 53 of the next adjacent gears 41 to prevent rotation of the gears prior to the time at which the surfaces 92 completely leave the cars 54 of gears 40. In a like manner, subsequent carriages 31 are moved along the channel by the slide and always at least one of the gears is positively retained against rotation by the slides.

It will therefore be seen that several primary functions are accomplished by the simple operation of control band 89, to wit: the rotation of all of the louvers to a position transversely of the channel so as to permit the louver to be nested in closely confronting relation adjacent the ends of the channel; the orientation of all of the ears of the several gears longitudinally of the channel to permit the carriages to slide away from the gears and between the ears of other gears as the carriages successively pass other gears While moving along the channel; and the continued restraining of all of the gears against rotation so that the ears 53 and 54 remain in their orientation longitudinal of the channel to receive the carriages during traversing of the louvers in both directions along the channel and across the window.

As the carriages 31 slide along the edges of channel flanges 27 and 28, the squared guide portion 68 of each of the carriages is restrained against rotation by the shoulders 30 on the channel flanges. Furthermore, the carriages 31, which engage each other at their flat fore and aft sides 64, restrain each other against any tendency to rotate as the squared guide portions of the carriages pass by the arcuate recesses 38a opposite the several gears.

When the louvers are to be drawn across the window openings again so as to be equally spaced from each other for subsequent rotation into closed position, the control band 89 is merely moved in the opposite direction to reverse the direction of movement of traversing control element or band 82. The slides 81 are thereby moved toward the central portion of the channel and toward each other. Again, as the slides move along the channel, the slides restrain the gears against rotation so as to maintain the ears 53 and 54 oriented longitudinally of the channel so that the carriages 31 may be passed along and between the gears and the ears thereon. The spacer tapes function to draw the carriages along the channel with the slides. When the slides 81 approach each other, the latching detents 81 pass over the keeper elements 81g on the other slide to effectively lock the slides together; and when the slides have returned totheir normal positions, each of the carriages will have been positioned in alignment with its respective gear and between the ears thereof so as to be adapted to be rotated when the control rod 70 is turned.

In the form of the invention in FIGS. 14 and 15 the apparatus is substantially identical to that hereinbefore disclosed in connection with FIGS. 1-13. The top channel 21 includes all of the apparatus hereinbefore described including the endless control band 89 as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. In this form of the invention, the louvers 3-9" are anchored and controlled for rotation and traversing at their lower ends as well as at their upper ends. The lower channel 21' is identical to the upper channel and contains rotary gears 41 journalled therein and also gears identical to those of the upper channel. Slides 81' are provided in the lower channel 21 and are moved under influence of elongate control elements or bands 82 in a manner identical to the slides of the upper channel. Additionally, the control rod 70 extending downwardly from the upper channel is non-rotatably connected to one of the gears 41' in the lower channel in a manner identical to that described previously in connection with FIGS. 12 and 13 so as to revolve all of the gears in the lower channel 21 and move the rack it, which is meshed with all of said rotary gears, in exact coordinated relation with the movement of the gears in the upper channel. Both ends of each of the louvers are thereby rotated identically. The lower portion of the control band 89 is trained around the operating sprocket 88, rotation of which produces movement of the band 82 to effect sliding movement of slides 81'.

The only important distinction of the apparatus in the lower channel 21 as compared to that previously described in connection with the upper channel is the construction of the carriages 31. The carriages 31' have separate slides 101 and louver mounts 182 and tension springs genesis 103. The louver mount includes a bifurcated mounting post portion 65 with a split post and head 66 and 67' thereon, and the louver mounting portion 102 also includes a non-circular shank 104. The slide 101 is substantially identical to the carriages 31 previously described with the exception that the louver mounting portion of the carriages 31 is now embodied in the louver mount 102. The slide 101 has an opening 105 entirely longitudinally therethrough, and the lower portion of opening 105 is sufficiently large as to receive the shank 104 with the spring thereon. The upper portion 105a of the opening is reduced in size and has a configuration identical to that of shank 104- to slidably guide the shank therein and prevent rotation of the shank 104 with respect to the slide 101. Because the upper portion 105a of the opening is reduced in size, a shoulder surface 106 is defined in the opening 105 against which one end of spring 103 bears. The other end of spring 103 is connected to the lower end of shank 104 which has a hook or stop 104a formed therein to retain the spring. The shank 104 is thereby continuously urged downwardly so as to apply tension on the louver 39". If it is desired, the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 14 and may also be provided with longitudinally movable spring tensioned louver mounts at the upper ends of the louvers identical to those disclosed at the lower ends of the louvers.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 16, the

upper channel 121 is identical to channel 2 1 but is merely inverted. The closed side 125 of the channel has gearmounting bearing apertures 138 therein in which the gears 141 are journalled. The gears 141 are meshed with rack 146 which is identical to the rack 46 previously described. In this form, the gears 141 have central bearing apertures 141a of a non-circular shape so as to slidably guide the shanks 104 of the louver mounts 102' which are identical to the louver mounts of FIG. 15. Springs 103 encompass the shanks 104' and bear downwardly against the gears 141 and upwardly against the hooks or stops 104a which are identical to the stops 104a of FIG. 15 so as to produce tension on the louvers 139. In this form of the apparatus the louvers may only be rotated and may not be traversed across the window opening. However it is to be particularly noted that all of the parts illustrated are applicable and interchangeable with similar parts in the traversing blind construction. It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A vertical louver window blind,

.comprising a plurality of elongate and parallel louvers extending vertically across the window opening,

a plurality of carriages each connected to the upper end of a respective louver for moving the louver across the window and rotating the louver,

a plurality of gears each having a vertical rotation axis aligned with a respective carriage,

an elongate frame member to be mounted across the upper portion of the window, said frame member having means rotatably mounting said gears, said frame member also having means mounting said carriages for rotation and sliding along the frame member for carrying said louvers across the window opening,

means connected with said gears for rotating the same,

said gears, carriages, and frame member having cooperating guide means permitting and producing rotation of each of said carriages in response to rotation of the gear aligned therewith, and preventing rotation of the carriages while being moved along the frame member out of alignment with the gears,

and spacer means limiting maximum spacing between said carriages.

2. A vertical louver window blind,

comprising a plurality of elongate and parallel louvers extending vertically across the window opening,

a plurality of gears each having a vertical rotation axis aligned with a respective louver and also having a pair of parallel ears projecting toward the corresponding louver,

a plurality of carriages each connected to the upper end of a respective louver for moving the louver across the window and rotating the louver, each of said carriages having a guide portion disposed between the ears of the corresponding gear, said guide portion having flat and parallel surfaces confronting the ears to be guided therealong and to effect rotation of the carriage and louver in response to rotation of the gears, the ears of all of said gears being parallel with each other,

an elongate frame member to be mounted across the upper portion of the window and having means rotatably mounting said gears, said frame member also having means mounting said carriages for rotation and sliding movement along the frame member for carrying said louvers across the window opening,

means connected with said gears for rotating the same and maintaining said gears in predetermined orientation with said ears thereof parallel with each other for simultaneous alignment longitudinally of the frame member to permit the carriages to slide along the frame member and between the ears of adjacent gears and to be nested adjacent an end of said frame member,

said carriages and frame member having cooperating guide means retaining said carriages against rotation while sliding along the frame member out of alignment with the corresponding gears, and also permitting rotation of each of said carriages in response to rotation of the gear aligned therewith.

3. A vertical louver window blind,

comprising a plurality of elongate and parallel louvers extending vertically across the window opening,

a plurality of carriages each connected to the upper end of a respective louver for moving the louver across the window opening and rotating the louver, each of said carriages having a peripheral flange-receiving groove and a pair of flat guide surfaces adjacent the groove and facing in opposite directions,

a plurality of gears each have a vertical rotation axis aligned with a respective carriage,

an elongate channel to be mounted across the upper portion of the window and journalling said gears therein, said channel having a open side with inturned flanges, said flanges having edges confronting each other in spaced relation and extending into said grooves of the carriages for mounting said carriages thereon, said flanges also having inwardly facing shoulder surfaces confronting the guide surface of the carriages and preventing turning of said carriages when said carriages are disposed out of alignment with said gears, said shoulder surfaces having enlarged recesses opposite each of said gears to avoid engagement with and obstruction of said guide sur-, faces of the carriages and permit rotation of the carriages when aligned with the gears,

said gears and carriages having interfitting linear guides and guideways to produce rotation of the carriages in response to rotation of the corresponding gears and to permit sliding separation of the carriages from the gears and along the channel when said guides and guideways are oriented longitudinally of the channel,

and spacer means limiting maximum spacing between said carriages.

4. A vertical louver window blind, comprising a channel to be mounted across the upper portion of a window, a plurality of elongate and parallel vertical louvers disposed beneath said channel and having upper and lower ends, the channel having inturned flanges spaced from each other, a plurality of rotatable louver-supporting carriages in the channel in regularly spaced relation from each other, each of the carriages having an outer end with a horizontal groove around the periphery thereof and continuously receiving said inturned flanges therein to restrain the carriages against upward and downward movement, said regularly spaced carriages being rotatable between the flanges and on vertical axes, said carriages also having inner ends, means securing the outer end of each carriage to a respective louver and orienting the louver transversely of the channel, said channel having a bottom opposite the flanges and opposed sides connecting the bottom to the flanges, a plurality of gears each confronting the inner end of a respective carriage and each being journalled on the bottom of the channel for rotation about a vertical axis extending between said flanges, an elongate gear rack meshing with said gears for rotating all the gears simultaneously, each of the gears having elongate carriage-guiding and rotating means extending horizontally across the gear and rotatable therewith and having oppositely facing, upright carriage-engaging surfaces extending longitudinally of the channel, the channel also including stationary carriage-guiding means having stationary oppositely facing upright carriage-guiding surfaces extending longitudinally along the channel between the carriages, and said stationary surfaces having ends spaced endwise from the regularly spaced carriages, each of the carriages having upright planar parallel surfaces slidably engaging said carriage-guiding surfaces and longitudinally aligned with said stationary surfaces to be guided in linear movement and restrained against rotary movement thereby when the carriages are moved along the channel, spacer means connected to said carriages to limit maximum spacing between the carriages, and means producing linear movement of the carriages along the channel.

5. A vertical louver window blind comprising a channel to be mounted across the upper portion of a window, a plurality of elongate and parallel vertical louvers disposed beneath the channel and having upper ends, a plurality of louver-supporting carriages in aligned and spaced relation with each other along the channel, the channel having means supporting the carriages for rotation about vertical axes and for linear-movement longitudinally of the channel, each of the carriages having a depending shank with means mounting the upper end of a corresponding louver thereon, a plurality of gears journalled on vertical axes in the channel in confronting relation with said carriages, the confronting gears and carriages having interfitting linear guides and guideways and having a normal orientation longitudinally of the channel to permit sliding separation of the carriages from the gears and to produce rotation of each of the carriages in response to rotation of the gear confronted thereby, linear guide means maintaining said carriages in said normal orientation during linear travel away from the gears, a gear operating member meshed with said gears for ret-ating the same and maintaining the gears in said normal orientation with respect to each other, a two-stage gear and carriage operating mechanism having a single control element, said operating mechanism successively rotating the gears to said normal orientation and producing linear travel of the carriages along the channel in response to operation of said control element, and spacer means connected to said carriages to limit maximum spacing therebetween.

6. A vertical louver window blind comprising a channel to be mounted across the upper portion of a window, a plurality of elongate and parallel vertical louvers disposed beneath the channel and having upper ends, a plurality of louver-supporting carriages in aligned and spaced relation with each other along the channel, the channel having means supporting the carriages for rotation about vertical axes and for linear movement longitudinally of the channel, each of the carriages having a depending shank with means mounting the upper end of a corresponding louver thereon, a plurality of gears journalled on vertical axes in the channel in confronting relation with said carriages, the confronting gears and carriages having interfitting linear guides and guideways and having a normal orientation longitudinally of the channel to permit sliding separation of the carriages from the gears and to produce rotation of each of the carriages in response to rotation of the gear confronted thereby, linear guide means maintaining said carriages in said normal orientation during linear travel away from the gears, a gear operating member meshed with said gears for rotating the same and maintaining the gears in said normal orientation with respect to each other, a gear-rotating and carriage-moving operating mechanism having a control member movable through a first increment in a first direction between first and second locations and movable through a second increment in said first direction beyond said second location, said operating mechanism establishing a driving connection between the control member and gears during movement of the control member through said first increment and producing rotation of the gears to said normal orientation, said control mechanism releasing the connection between the control member and said gears at said second location of the control membel and said operating mechanism establishing a driving connection between said control member and said carriages in said second increment of movement for linearly moving the carriages away from the gears, and spacer means connected to said carriages to limit maximum spacing therebetween.

7. A vertical louver window blind,

comprising a plurality of elongate and parallel louvers extending vertically across the window opening,

an elongate frame member to be mounted across the upper portion of a window opening,

a plurality of rotary louver operators each disposed opposite the upper end of a respective louver and each of said operators including a rotary gear journalled on said frame member and having a vertical rotation axis, and each of said operators also including a carriage movably mounted on the frame member for sliding and rotating movement and connected with the corresponding louver for rotating louver and moving the louver across the window opening, said gear and carriage of each operator having elongate guide means engaging each other and extending linearly transversely of said axis and being separable when oriented longitudinally of said frame member to permit said carriage to be moved along the frame member,

operating means connected with the gear of each of the operators and producing simultaneous rotation of all of said operators in response to rotation of any of said operators and to effect orientation of all of said guide means longitudinally of said frame member,

one of said operators having an operator and louverrotating arm extending transversely outwardly in one direction,

a slide mounted on said frame member and slidably engageable with said arm to rotate said arm and all of said operators to a position wherein said elongate guide means are oriented longitudinally of the frame member,

and spacer means limiting maximum spacing between the carriages of said operators.

8. A vertical louver window blind,

comprising a plurality of elongate and parallel louvers extending vertically across the window opening in side by side relation,

an elongate frame member to be mounted across the upper portion of a window opening and opposite the upper ends of the louvers,

a plurality of rotary louver operators in side by side relation along said frame member, each of said operators being disposed opposite the upper end of a respective louver and each of said operators including a rotary gear journalled on said frame member and having a vertical rotation axis, each of said operators also including a carriage movably mounted on the frame for sliding and rotating movement and connected with the corresponding louver for rotating the louver and moving the louver across the window opening, said gear and carriage of each operator having linear guide means engaging each other and extending linearly transversely of the axis and being separable when oriented longitudinally of said frame member to permit the carriage to be moved along the frame member, said guide means also producing rotation of the carriage and louver when the gear is rotated, all said operators to be oriented with said guide means parallel with each other,

operating means connected with the gear of each of the operators and producing simultaneous rotation of all of said operators in response to rotation of any of said operators and to maintain the operators oriented with their elongate guide means parallel with each other,

a slide mounted on said frame member adjacent the endmost rotary operator and being movable on said frame member toward and along said endmost operator,

said slide also having a pair of camming surfaces spaced from each other to receive said operators therebetween,

The endmost of said operators having cam means extending transversely outwardly therefrom in one direction and parallel with said elongate guide means of the operator, said cam means having cam follower surfaces facing outwardly in opposite directions and engageable with said camming surfaces of the slide to effect rotation of said endmost operator and all other operators in response to movement of the slide along the frame member and orienting said elongate guide means longitudinally of the frame member and spacer means limiting maximum spacing between the carriages of said operators.

9. The vertical louver window blind of claim 8 wherein said inner guide means of said operators includes a pair of spaced, parallel and depending ears on said endmost gear, said ears having transversely outwardly facing sides defining said cam means and including said cam following surfaces engageable with said slide to effect rotation of the endmost gear and all the other gears to orient the ears parallel of the frame member and permit the carriages to be moved along the frame member.

10. A vertical louver window blind,

comprising a plurality of elongate and parallel louvers extending vertically across the window opening,

an elongate frame member to be mounted across the window opening and opposite the upper ends of the louvers,

a plurality of rotary gears journalled on the frame member on vertical axes, each of said gears being disposed opposite the upper end of a respective louver,

a plurality of carriages mounted on the frame member for rotation with said gears and for sliding movement along the frame member and away from the gears, each of said carriages being connected with a respective louver for rotating the louver and moving the louver across the window opening,

each of the gears and the corresponding carriage having linear guide means engaging each other and extending linearly transversely of the axis and being separable when oriented longitudinally of the frame member to permit the carriage to be moved along the frame member, said guide means producing rotation of the carriage and louver when the gear is rotated, all of said linear guide means being oriented parallel with each other,

operating means connected with all of said gears and producing simultaneous rotation of all of said gears and carriages in response to rotation of any of said gears, a slide on the frame member and being movable there along to one of said gears, and said last-mentioned one gear and said slide having cooperating obstruction means engaging each other and preventing rotation of said one gear and thereby preventing rotation of any of the gears and carriages and louvers, said slide being movable away from said one gear to disengage said obstruction means and thereby permit rotation of the gears and carriages and louvers. 11. The vertical louver window blind of claim wherein said obstruction means of said one gear includes a linear guide extending transversely across the gear and parallel to a diameter thereof,

the obstruction means of said slide defining a linear guideway extending longitudinally of said frame member and removably receiving said guide therein as the slide is moved along the frame member to selectively permit and prevent rotation of the gears, carriages, and louvers.

12. The vertical louver window blind of claim 10 wherein a plurality of said gears are adjacent each other, said plurality of gears and said slide having said cooperating obstruction means,

the obstruction means of each of said gears includes a linear guide extending transversely the gear and parallel to a diameter thereof,

the obstruction means of said slide defining a linear guideway extending longitudinally of said frame member and successively and movably receiving said guides of said gears therein as the slide is moved along the frame, said guideway of the slide having a length sufficient to simultaneously receive therein the guides of a pair of next adjacent gears whereby to continuously maintain said gears with said guides longitudinally of the frame member as the slide is moved along,

and said slide having a portion confronting, engaging and pushing the carriages along the frame member to move the louvers across the window opening.

13. The vertical louver window blind of claim 12 and also including spacer means limiting maximum spacing between said carriages and said slide whereby to produce movement of the carriages and louvers with the slide along the frame member,

and control means producing movement of the slide along the frame member.

14. A vertical louver window blind,

comprising a plurality of elongate and parallel louvers extending vertically across the window opening,

an elongate frame member to be mounted across the window opening and opposite the upper ends of the louvers,

a plurality of rotary gears journalled on the frame member on vertical axes, each of said gears being disposed opposite the upper end of a respective louver, one of said gears having a linear guide extending transversely across the gear in one direction from the axis thereof and parallel to a diameter thereof,

a plurality of carriages mounted on the frame member for rotation with said gears and for sliding movement along the frame member and away from the gears, each of said carriages being connected with a respective louver for rotating the louver and moving the louver across the window opening,

each of the gears and the corresponding carriages having linear guide means engaging each other ad extending linearly transversely of the gear axis and being separable when oriented longitudinally of the frame member to permit the carriage to be moved along the frame member, said guide means producing rotation of the carriage and louver when the gear is rotated, all of said linear guide means being oriented 15 parallel with each other and with said guide of said one gear, operating means connected with all of said gears and producing simultaneous rotation of all of said gears and carriages in respons to rotation of any of said gears, a slide on the frame member and being movable there- -along adjacent said linear guide, said slide defining a guideway oriented longitudinally of the frame member and removably receiving said linear guide therein, said slide engaging said guide and rotating the guide longitudinally of the frame member to orient all of said guide means longitudinally of the frame member. 15. The vertical louver window blind of claim 14 and said slide also confronting said carriages to move the carriages and louvers along the frame member after orienting said guide means longitudinally of the frame member.

16. The vertical louver window blind of claim 14 wherein each of said gears has a linear guide extending across the gear and parallel to a diameter thereof,

said slide having suflicient length to simultaneously receive the guide of next adjacent gears in said guidey,

said guideway of said slide having a transverse enlargement therein normally receiving therein the guide extending in only one direction across said one gear, and permitting limited rotation of said guide in said enlargement.

17. The vertical louver window blind of claim 4 wherein each of said carriages has a body portion including said groove and also including said flat and parallel surfaces of the guide means, said body member having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough,

each of said carriages also including a louver-mounting shank having depending head means connected to the corresponding louver and slidably extending into the opening of said body member,

and each of said carriages also including a spring connected between said body member and said shank and urging the shank upwardly,

and means applying tension to the lower ends of said louvers.

18. A vertical louver Window blind,

comprising a plurality of elongate and parallel-louvers extending vertically across the window opening, each of said louvers having a stiff upper end portion with an aperture therein,

an elongate frame member to be mounted across the upper portion of the window opening opposite the upper ends of said louvers,

a plurality of gears each having a vertical axis extending to a respective louver means connecting said gears together and revolving said gears in coordinated relation with each other,

means connecting said gears with the upper ends of said louvers and including a plurality of pins each extending transversely of the respective gear rotation axis and through the aperture in the stiff upper end of the corresponding louver, said pins being resiliently deformable to be readily removable from the louvers, thereby facilitating demounting of the louvers.

19. The vertical louver window blind,

comprising a plurality of elongate and parallel louvers extending vertically across the window opening,

an elongate frame member to be mounted across the upper portion of the window opening and opposite the upper ends of said louvers, said frame member having a pair of elongate horizontal flanges confronting each other in spaced edge to edge relation and defining a slot therebetween,

a plurality of carriages each connected to the upper end of a respective louver for moving the louver across th window opening and rotating the louver, each of said carriages having a peripheral groove receiving the edges of said spaced flanges,

means above said flanges effecting movement of said carriages along the frame member for moving the louvers across the window opening and for rotating said carriages and louvers,

and an elongate, non-stretchable, but readily pliable spacer tape connected with said carriages and underlying said flanges and slots to provide a closure for said slot, said spacer tape limiting maximum spacing between next adjacent carriages along said frame member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,605,825 8/1952 Armstrong --166 2,660,237 11/1953 Bopp et al. 160166 2,717,034 9/1955 Sharpe 160-466 2,827,113 3/1958 Graham 160172 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

P. M. CAUN, Assistant Examiner. 

18. A VERTICAL LOUVER WINDOW BLIND, COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATE AND PARALLEL LOUVERS EXTENDING VERTICALLY ACROSS THE WINDOW OPENING, EACH OF SAID LOUVERS HAVING A STIFF UPPER END PORTION WITH AN APERTURE THEREIN, AN ELONGATE FRAME MEMBER TO BE MOUNTED ACROSS THE UPPER PORTION OF THE WINDOW OPENING OPPOSITE THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID LOUVERS, A PLURALITY OF GEARS EACH HAVING A VERTICAL AXIS EXTENDING TO A RESPECTIVE LOUVER MEANS CONNECTING SAID GEARS TOGETHER AND REVOLVING SAID GEARS IN COORDINATED RELATION WITH EACH OTHER, MEANS CONNECTING SAID GEARS WITH THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID LOUVERS AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PINS EACH EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE RESPECTIVE GEAR ROTATION AXIS AND THROUGH THE APERTURE IN THE STIFF UPPER END OF THE CORRESPONDING LOUVER, SAID PINS BEING RESILIENTLY DEFORMABLE TO BE READILY REMOVABLE FROM THE LOUVERS, THEREBY FACILITATING DEMOUNTING OF THE LOUVERS. 